The first official photograph of the Princess of Wales - Princess Kate since her abdominal surgery in January has been released.

The 42-year-old future queen was admitted to the London Clinic – the private hospital where the King underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate – for a planned operation on January 16.

Kate left the hospital almost two weeks later on January 29.

She returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be reunited with her three children, Kensington Palace said.

Bournemouth Echo: The Princess of Wales underwent abdominal surgery in January.The Princess of Wales underwent abdominal surgery in January. (Image: PA)

But details of the princess’s condition following the surgery have not been revealed with Kate wishing to keep her medical information private.

The Palace has previously said the Princesses condition is not cancer-related.

First official photo of the Princess of Wales since surgery released

The Princess of Wales was photographed in public, unofficially, for the first time since Christmas earlier this month. 

The photo showed Kate wearing dark sunglasses in the black Audi which was being driven by her mother, Carole Middleton.

But now the first official photo of Kate has been released by the Prince of Wales - Prince William and Kensington Palace.

The photo, released on the Prince and Princess of Wales' X (formerly Twitter) account, shows Kate with her three children Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

The photo also contains the Princess of Wales' first official words since her surgery in January.

In the post she says: "Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day. C."

People took to the post on social media to pass on further well wishes and wish the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their family, a happy Mother's Day.

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One person, commenting on the post on X, said: "I love this. The Princess of Wales looks healthy. Such a beautiful picture."

Another added: "Wishing you a wonderful day today with your gorgeous children, and a speedy, full recovery and return in your own good time to public life and engagements."

While a third user commented: "Happy Mother’s Day Catherine. All the best in your recovery."